Airlines globally planning investment in cyber security

Airlines across the world are planning to invest in cyber security programmes in the next three years. According to a survey conducted by airline solutions and technology provider SITA, as high as 91 percent airlines globally are considering resorting to much better cyber security measures going ahead.

The survey, titled ‘Airline IT Trends 2016′, communicated with about 200 airlines worldwide.

“Airlines are investing in areas which will promote a connected world of travel for the benefit of passengers and the workforce,” SITA director Nigel Pickford was quoted as saying by Press Trust of India.

The survey also added that over 47 percent of the airlines in the world were making advance preparations to manage cyber risks in 2013. However, the number has now doubled to almost 91 percent.

SITA views cyber security and electronic flight-solutions to come into force in this year’s research.

Nearly 50 percent of the carriers are planning to have information technology programmes, which would ease passenger identification. According to the survey, another new trend in the industry is that the airlines are developing more software in-house and are shifting to outsource IT operations.

In the future, most of the airlines’ IT budget would be spent on innovation and not on continuation of services.

“Providing passenger services via smartphones continues to be a key area of investment for airlines. Seventy nine percent of them are planning major investments over the next three years while a further 17 percent are planning a pilot programme to carry out research and development in this field.”

In addition, many airlines are also planning to use social media and the location indicator to make customised offer to passengers by 2019.